headspace Ballarat

15/04/2026

Celebrating Growth, Goals & Great Futures at headspace Ballarat! 💚

We’re so excited to unveil a brand new installation at headspace Ballarat - The YEP Tree.

Created through a fantastic collaboration between our Youth Employment Program (YEP) team and local designerTroy Drever from Drever Signs. The tree celebrates the achievements of young people in our headspace Work and Study Program.

Each leaf on the tree represents a milestone - whether it’s gaining a job, starting study, or reaching an important personal goal. Young people are invited to add their name to a leaf as they achieve these goals, creating a growing symbol of progress, courage, and success.

The tree represents growth - not just in work and study, but in confidence, independence, and hope for the future.

We hope The YEP Tree becomes a vibrant talking point within the centre, inspiring others to get involved and create an awareness of the Work and Study support available here at headspace Ballarat - and that every achievement, big or small, deserves to be celebrated.

We can’t wait to see the tree fill with leaves and stories of success. 💚

This week our first leaves were added to YEP tree by Keira and Shaelynn who are celebrating job starts. Keira recently commenced an apprenticeship working on the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment and Shaelynn started her very first job as a shop assistant. Great work both of you!

14/04/2026

🏳️‍🌈 Are you an LGBTQIA+ person working in Australia? Monash University want to hear from you!

Share your workplace experiences in the Pride at Work survey: https://monashred.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6E7fJgUClAf1Mhg

01/04/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.

To acknowledge the day, we’re sharing a lived experience conversation between a parent/carer and peer worker from our Family and Friends Reference Group.

This piece offers a real insight into what it can look like to support a young person with autism. It highlights the moments that don’t always get seen… navigating communication, managing overwhelm, supporting interests, and advocating for inclusion in everyday settings.

It also reminds us of something important… Autism isn’t always visible, and no two experiences are the same.

By sharing lived experience, we hope to build understanding, challenge assumptions, and support stronger connections between families, carers, practitioners, and the broader community.

Take a moment to read, reflect, and consider what inclusion looks like in your world.

For a copy of this resource or to learn more about the Family and Friends Reference group, including joining, please email: info@headspaceballarat.org.au

31/03/2026

Today, March 31st, is trans day of visibility. It is a time to celebrate & recognise transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary people within our community.

For more information on how to be an ally head to the following links:

www.tgv.org.au/allies
http://www.minus18.org.au/.../how-to-be-a-trans-ally-as-a...
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/.../a-guide-to-being-an...

25/03/2026

LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Australia’s biggest LGBTIQA+ youth survey is closing soon.

If you’re 14–21 and part of the LGBTIQA+ community, this is your chance to share your story and shape polices that impact our community.

Your voice helps shape better support, services, and policies for other young people like you. The more people who take part, the bigger the impact.

Know a LGBTIQA+ young person? Share this post or send them the link!

Let’s make sure every voice is heard.

Take the survey:

https://tinyurl.com/InOurWordsSurvey

Read more about In Our Words:

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/.../lgbtiq-health/in-our-words

22/03/2026

March 21st to 29th is Cultural Diversity Week! Have you been into headspace Ballarat and checked out our Cultural Diversity Mural?

Created and hand painted by Colombian artist Yeimy Sanchez, the mural was co-designed in collaboration with headspace Ballarat's Youth Reference Group, the Centre for Multicultural Youth Ballarat (CMY) and culturally diverse students from Ballarat High School.

The mural features national flowers representing some of the many diverse cultural identities that make up the wonderful Ballarat community, described by a member of headspace Ballarat's Youth Reference Group as "culture brought together by nature."

Which national flowers do you recognise?

16/03/2026

Dreaming of a Creative Career? 🎨✨

Ever wondered if you can turn your creativity into a career?

Join us for Making ART Work, a free one-day event where young creatives can explore real career pathways in the arts. Hear from local artists and industry professionals about how they turned their passion into income, try a hands-on workshop, and get tips for getting started in the creative industries and building a career.

Spots are limited – register your interest now

https://form.jotform.com/headspaceballarat/make-arts-work

Hosted by headspace Work & Study.

16/03/2026

The team at headspace Ballarat are wearing a pop of orange today to celebrate Harmony Week!

Harmony Week (16 March - 22 March) is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. Harmony Week is an important celebration of cultural diversity, respect, and belonging.

From the oldest continuous culture of First Nations peoples to the cultures of the newest arrivals from around the globe, everyone belongs. headspace Ballarat is committed to supporting and celebrating young people of all cultural backgrounds. 🧡

15/03/2026

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐢𝐝 - 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Anyone can have a conversation that may save a life. Everyone should know how.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received, or the crisis resolves.

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adolescents, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem, and the treatments and supports available.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Participants are required to complete self-paced learning (approx. 5-7 hours) prior to attending in person on Tuesday 24th March, 202, 9am-5pm (registration from 8.45am)
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: headspace Ballarat - Level 1, 20 Dawson Street North, Ballarat Central
𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭: $120 per person (includes course participation and materials)

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1536428

Delivered by Mental Health First Aid Australia

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12-18) who may be experiencing...

02/03/2026

During March, headspace celebrates Work & Study month!

Here at headspace Ballarat we are sharing the love for headspace Work & Study 💚

💚 Our team can help you get to where you want to go. Get support with:
• Preparing for job interviews
• Understanding your workplace rights
• Writing job applications, resumes and course entry forms
• Learning about yourself and what career you might like to pursue

You can access support online or over the phone or in-person at headspace Ballarat. Learn more:

Discover work and study support and services for young people including jobs and career advice. Visit headspace for more information on how we can help.

27/02/2026

A message on behalf of the Family & Friends Reference Group - headspace Ballarat, in the hope that other parents and carers feel encouraged to seek information, reach out for support, and remember that caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your young person.

"As a person who has supported a family member through challenges with alcohol and other drugs, I know how isolating, confusing and overwhelming this journey can feel. There were times I didn’t know what to say, how to set boundaries, or where to turn for support. I often felt torn between wanting to protect my relative and needing to encourage their independence and accountability.

The “Alcohol and other drugs: supporting your young person” resource by headspace offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and carers navigating this space. It acknowledges the emotional toll on families while providing clear information about substance use, communication strategies, setting boundaries, and looking after your own wellbeing.

What I found most helpful is that it doesn’t place blame. Instead, it reassures parents that they are not alone and that support is available. It reminds us that while we cannot control our young person’s choices, we can stay connected, informed, and supported ourselves."

There are many things you can do to support a young person who is engaging in problematic alcohol or other drug use. Learn more with headspace.